Lantern type lighting fixture



Jan. 26, 1965 l. HARPER LANTERN TYPE LIGHTING FIXTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 1s, 1962 INVENTOR. IRVING HARPER AWS.

Jah. 26, 1965 l. HARPER 3,167,257

LANTERN TYPE LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed July 18, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Iavms HARPER ma, MMM@ wim TTYS.

Jan. 26, 1965 l. HARPER 3,167,257

LANTERN TYPE LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed July 18, 1962 5 Sheets-SheetI 3INVENTOR IEvING HARPER BY WO%7MMA0I7 V ATTYS,

United States Patent O 3,167,257 LANTERN TYPE LIGHTING FIXTURE IrvingHarper, Rye, NX., assignor to Howard Miller Clock Company, Zeeland,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July I8, 1962, Ser. No. 210,730 2Claims. (Cl. 24U-10) The present invention relates generally to lightingfixtures and more particularly to lighting fixtures of the lantern typefashioned of a plurality of elements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedlighting fixture structure of unique and decorative form which permitsof alternative fabrication in predetermined forms by appropriateselection of various elements so as to effect different appearances.

It is another object to provide a lantern type lighting fixture adaptedfor alternative depending support or upstanding support.

It is a related object to provide a lighting fixture as described abovewhich permits of economical manufacture, is easy to clean and isdurable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed descripton and upon reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with a cutout section of the lantern typelighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation of an element of the lantern typelighting fixture of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the element shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary section of an element tab;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken from the top of FIG. 1showing the element tabs mounted on the upper frame member;

FIG. 6 is a fro'nt elevation with a fragmentary section removed of analternative embodiment of the present invention using a second elementform;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lantern type lighting fixture of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a third form of an element constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the element of FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a front elevation of another exemplary embodiment of thepresent lantern type lighting fixture using a fourth element form;

FIG. 1l is a front elevation of the fourth element form; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the element of FIG. ll.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not therebyintended that the invention be limited to the particular illustratedembodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modified formsand alternative constructions that are included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, shown in FIG. l is alantern type lighting fixture 30 embodying the present invention. Thefixture includes a framework 3l, surrounding a light source 32 andhaving mounted thereon translucent elements 33.

One exemplary form of the element 33 is shown in FIGS. l-S. Three otherexemplary forms of translucent elements 33a', 3319, and 33C are shown inFIGS. 6-12. The length and width dimensions, as shown, of each of theelements are in approximately the same proportion with the length beingseveral times the Width. The lat- ICC ter dimension in the illustrativeforms is not uniform throughout the length of the element, but theelements are wider at the center.

A feature which is generic lies in the fashioning of the individualelements to provide surface portions which are disposed in predeterminedangular relationship to each other. Thus, the translucence of theelements varies when they are viewed from different positions withrespect to the background light source 32. More particularly, of thesurface structures of the four exemplary element forms here shown,element 33 in FIGS. 1-5 is shaped to provide 4a pair of integralpyramidal embossments extending toward each other from conical endportions. Similarly, reverse embossments, or valleys, are provided alongthe longitudinal edges of the pyramids.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 the exemplary element form 33a there shown has a pairof pyramid-shaped portions extending toward the ends without the Valleysalong the longitudinal edges and the conical-shaped end portions as inelement 33. In FIGS. 8 and 9 an element 33b is embossed so as to presenta plurality of valleys running transversely of the element and a seriesof centrally raised portions longitudinally along the element 33hdefining the valleys. On either side of the raised portions andextending toward the longitudinal side edges of the element 33h are aseries of depressions. In another exemplary form, which is shown inFIGS. 1042, the translucent element 33e is provided with staggered rowsof frustoconical embossments, with the diameters of those embossmentsthat are adjacent the ends being less than those in the central portion.It is apparent from the foregoing that many forms are available and eachof them provides a plurality of surfaces which are disposed in apredetermined angular relationship and provide a distinctive pattern ofillumination.

The framework 3l upon which the translucent elements are mountedincludes an upper frame portion 37 and a lower frame portion 38 held inspaced relationship by struts 39. The upper portion 37 of the framework31 also includes cross-members 37a and 37b. Means are provided forfastening the translucent elements to the framework 31. As shown thismeans comprises pairs of tabs 43, 44 and 4S, 46 laterally spacedadjacent each end of the respective elements for attachment to the framemembers.

Each of the element tabs 43, 44 and 45, 46 are provided with slottedapertures 43a, 44a and 45a, 46a, respectively, to provide slip-onengagement of the tabs onto the frame members. By liexing the tabs so asto widen the individual slot openings', the structural frame members canbe slipped through the slots until they seat in the respective tabapertures (see FIG. 4), whereupon the :tabs flex back to normalcondition in which the slot is closed and the structural member isgripped positively by the tab.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the elements can bemounted either longitudinally (FIGS. 1, l0) or transversely (FIGS. 6, 7)of the central axis of the supporting framework to providepredetermined, alternative, three-dimensional geometrical shapes. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the lantern has a barrel shape with theelements 33 and 33C mounted so as to fiex outwardly. In effecting thisresult, either the struts 39 are equally `shortened or the distancebetween opposite p-airs of tabs 43, 44 and 45, 46 of the individualelements 33 are equally increased. As has been noted, the elements arewider in the center. Thus, with the elements centrally liexed,contiguous edges of adjacent elements abut one another. Alternatively,they may be placed so that their central portions overlap to provideadditional material thickness and add shadow designs. A drum shapedfixture results, it will be apparent, when the struts are substantiallyequalto the distance between oppositeV pairs of thek mounting ytabs sovthat 'upon engagement with the K frame members the elements 33 havesubstantially no central flexing-v By way, of illustration, Ysuch alantern type fixture havinga drum shape isdisclosed in FIGS. 6 andi-7wherein the elements 33a are Vmounted transversely withy respect to ythecentral,A longitudinal axis lofv the fixture.

As another feature of the present invention the fixture vcan bealternatively supported from above as by Aa `cord To enhance uniformityof 41 or from below. In the latter instance upstanding sup- V*portmightV be provided .bya pedestalY including upstandingtripod legs y42and a top'ringv'42avas shown in broken lines in FIG.11 with' thediffuser; 34Y resting upon 4the ring.

lLighting fixtures embodying the teachings ofthe presentinventio'npresent dierent-designs according to the 'choice of elementform which permits ofmounting in 'a variety of ways on selectedyframework structures to p rovide individually attractive appearances.The `elements 'ca'ntake a variety of shapes and forms. 'By surrounding`the light source32 with these elementsV havingtheir angu-'larlydispo'sedrsurfaces the thickness` of translucentelevment materialVintenposed Vbetween' aviewer 'and Vthelight source isnon-uniform. To4provideother areasY ofreyduced lig'ht intensity, the elements can 4belmounted iso. -that the central-marginal portions overlap. YThus light`must 4penetrate a double vlayer v'of element material in those areas.As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 addi- Vtional reduced light intensitylareas are provided'to the lantern design. Accordingly, an attractive,predetermined design as dene by the areas of varying-degrees ftransmitted flight vis presented tolti-reviewer.V Y

VvI-claim asmy invention:

v 4 frame members for maintaining'them in spaced relation, alight'diftuser mounted on said supporting structure and ,surrounding thelight source, and a series of independent elongated translucent lightdiffusing elements, veach element being yof substantially uniformthickness throughout and fashioned with angularly disposed surfaces tovary the translucence of ,elements as viewed against the light sourcebackground, each of said elements having at least one tabgadjacent eachof the opposite ends thereof, and each of said tabs having a slottedaperture therein for gripping engagement withone of saidV members.

2. In a lantern type lighting xture vfor use with a 'source of light'comprising in combination, asupporting 'structure yincluding Van`.upper frame member, a ylower tramernernberfstrut members interposedbetween said frame members for` maintaining them in spaced relation, alight defuser mounted on ysaid supporting structure for Asurrounding thelight source, and a series ofindependent elongated tran'slucent'lightdiffusing'elements fashioned with'angularly disposed surfacesto.vary'the translucence of elementsas viewed against the background ofdilfused light, -each of lsaid/elements.having .a 'central portion andopposite end portions with an integral taby adjacent each of the-opp'osite yends-thereof, each. of said tabs having a slotted aperturetherein Vfor vgripping engagement with one of said members, saidelements being wider at their vcentral portions thanfat their ends toadd shadow designs upon overlapping of element-adjacent edges when theelements are mountedtonV said frame members.

ReferencesrCited bythe Examiner n UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 18,465,V 7/88Hinrichsf V 24U-1.08 74/94v Fondeville 240-108 9/20 Irwin 24U-108 10/23'i YCurtis 2410-108 3/40 Schwarz -240-l08 2/50 .'Ma'dan et al. ;240-1088/'52 Flint 240-108 v7/54 Tradelius 24U-108 2/61 'De Sentmenat 240-108 X1/63.Y Asher f 240-108 1'2/,63 Hofman 24U-108K y FOREIGN V'PATENT-S 2/55GreatvBritain.

1,351,756 1,472,050 2,192,624.Y Y2,496,482 2,608,644' 2,683,8002,972,674 r3,075,074 Y 3,115,310l

y*NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A LANTERN TYPE LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR USE WITH A SOURCE OF LIGH COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING AN UPPER FRAME MEMBER, A LOWER FRAME MEMBER, STRUT MEMBERS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEMBERS FOR MAINTAINING THEM IN SPACED RELATION, A LIGHT DIFFUSER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND SURROUNDING THE LIGHT SOURCE, AND A SERIES OF INDEPENDENT ELONGATED TRANSLUCENT LIGHT DIFFUSING ELEMENTS, EACH ELEMENT BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM THICKNESS THROUGHOUT AND FASHIONED WITH ANGULARLY DISPOSED SURFACES TO VARY THE TRANSLUCENCE OF ELEMENTS AS VIEWED AGAINST THE LIGHT SOURCE BACKGROUND, EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS HAVING AT LEAST ONE TAB ADJACENT EACH OF THE OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, AND EACH OF SAID TABS HAVING A SLOTTED APERTURED THEREIN FOR GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE OF SAID MEMBERS. 